Interior Ministry renews curfew on Nkonya and Alavanyo

The Ministry of Interior has announced the renewal of curfew hours for the townships of Alavanyo and Nkonya, as well as their surrounding areas, in Ghana’s Volta and Oti Regions.

This renewed curfew is set to take effect from Sunday, June 23, 2024. Under the new order, movement within these designated areas is strictly prohibited from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am daily.

Alavanyo and Nkonya have been entangled in a protracted boundary dispute that dates back to 1923.

The contentious land, which is abundant in valuable resources such as timber, bamboo, and cola nuts, has been a significant source of tension and violence between the two communities over the years.

The conflict over these resources has led to numerous violent confrontations, resulting in loss of life and property.

The situation took a turn for the worse in May 2022, when the conflict claimed the life of a woman who was shot dead.

Another individual was also injured in this incident, which marked a severe escalation in the ongoing hostilities.

In response to the rising violence, the Volta Regional Peace Council issued a strong appeal to the communities, urging them to cease the cycle of reprisal killings.

The Council highlighted that since 1983, the conflict has resulted in the tragic loss of 85 lives, underscoring the severe human toll of this long-standing dispute.

Over the years, various measures have been employed to manage and resolve the conflict between Alavanyo and Nkonya.

These have included military and police interventions aimed at maintaining law and order, court adjudications to resolve legal aspects of the dispute, and numerous peacebuilding initiatives.

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Stakeholders from both communities have been involved in these efforts, alongside mediators who have sought to foster dialogue and reconciliation.

Despite these efforts, the Ministry of Interior has decided to extend the curfew, although it has not provided specific reasons for this latest renewal.

In their statement, the Ministry emphasized the continued ban on the possession of arms, ammunition, and any offensive weapons within the affected areas.

They stressed that strict enforcement measures would be in place, warning that “any person found with arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted.”

This stern warning is part of the government’s broader strategy to curb the violence and restore peace to the region.

The renewed curfew is a reflection of the ongoing challenges in ensuring security and stability in Alavanyo and Nkonya.

It highlights the government’s commitment to preventing further violence and protecting lives, even as efforts continue to find a lasting resolution to the underlying issues of the dispute.

The Ministry of Interior’s actions underline the importance of maintaining peace and security, while also addressing the root causes of the conflict through continued dialogue and mediation efforts.

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